New beers from Boulevard, Samuel Adams, Stone tasted

Despite my recent travels and the large amount of beer I have purchased in the past week, I slipped in a few new brews to review this week.

First up is the new Boulevard Brewing Company’s Reboot White IPA. It is a re-release of 2011 Collaboration Series No. 2.

I have not been a fan of the relatively new white IPA style. I just don’t think the hoppy flavors of an IPA blend well with the spiciness found in Belgian-style wits. Most white IPAs have been disappointing.

However, I’ve a huge fan of Boulevard beers, so I figured if any brewery could turn me around on white IPAs it would be them.

Unfortunately, it’s just not for me. There’s nothing wrong with the beer, but the flavors don’t blend for me. I can taste the sage and lemongrass and the subtle peppery flavors, but then it bashes into the fruity hops and the flavors are too contrasting.

If you like the style, this is probably a beer you’ll like, but I don’t think it’ll change the opinion of anyone who is not a fan of white IPAs.

Next up is the new Samuel Adams Ruby Mild.

This 5.6 percent ABV mild ale is a sweet, malty beer. It tastes like caramel with subtle bready flavors in the background. There are almost no hops at all.

It feels creamy in your mouth, and it is an easy drinking beer. The head is fluffy, and it’s a pretty beer to look at in your glass.

This is a perfect beer for those who prefer malty over hoppy and are looking for something that is not too high in alcohol. I enjoyed this beer a lot, and I’ll drink more of it.

The final new beer this week is the new 10 Barrel/Bluejacket/Stone Suede Imperial Porter.

This collaboration porter is a big beer, coming in at a hefty 9.6 percent ABV. It pours like oil, but the aroma is fantastic – you get coffee and a sweet, honey like smell.

The Suede is brewed with jasmine, honey and calendula flowers.

You can taste the jasmine early on and the honey becomes more prominent as the beer warms, mixing with the flavors of smooth chocolate and coffee.

There was a sweetness that I couldn’t identify that may have come from the calendula flowers, which I’ve never tried, but it was pleasant and was perfect with the other flavors.

Again, this was a thick, heavy beer. It was smooth, but it wasn’t a quick drinking beer. It is definitely a sipper, but one that anyone who enjoys stouts and porters should love.

Norman Miller

Despite my recent travels and the large amount of beer I have purchased in the past week, I slipped in a few new brews to review this week.

First up is the new Boulevard Brewing Company’s Reboot White IPA. It is a re-release of 2011 Collaboration Series No. 2.

I have not been a fan of the relatively new white IPA style. I just don’t think the hoppy flavors of an IPA blend well with the spiciness found in Belgian-style wits. Most white IPAs have been disappointing.

However, I’ve a huge fan of Boulevard beers, so I figured if any brewery could turn me around on white IPAs it would be them.

Unfortunately, it’s just not for me. There’s nothing wrong with the beer, but the flavors don’t blend for me. I can taste the sage and lemongrass and the subtle peppery flavors, but then it bashes into the fruity hops and the flavors are too contrasting.

If you like the style, this is probably a beer you’ll like, but I don’t think it’ll change the opinion of anyone who is not a fan of white IPAs.

Next up is the new Samuel Adams Ruby Mild.

This 5.6 percent ABV mild ale is a sweet, malty beer. It tastes like caramel with subtle bready flavors in the background. There are almost no hops at all.

It feels creamy in your mouth, and it is an easy drinking beer. The head is fluffy, and it’s a pretty beer to look at in your glass.

This is a perfect beer for those who prefer malty over hoppy and are looking for something that is not too high in alcohol. I enjoyed this beer a lot, and I’ll drink more of it.

The final new beer this week is the new 10 Barrel/Bluejacket/Stone Suede Imperial Porter.

This collaboration porter is a big beer, coming in at a hefty 9.6 percent ABV. It pours like oil, but the aroma is fantastic – you get coffee and a sweet, honey like smell.

The Suede is brewed with jasmine, honey and calendula flowers.

You can taste the jasmine early on and the honey becomes more prominent as the beer warms, mixing with the flavors of smooth chocolate and coffee.

There was a sweetness that I couldn’t identify that may have come from the calendula flowers, which I’ve never tried, but it was pleasant and was perfect with the other flavors.

Again, this was a thick, heavy beer. It was smooth, but it wasn’t a quick drinking beer. It is definitely a sipper, but one that anyone who enjoys stouts and porters should love.